Spoon packet



Nov. 12, 1957 s. LEIBOW SPOON PACKET Filed March 15, 1954 uNv T W z'ifiw/ %-5 ATTORNEY 2,812,577 Patented Nov. 12, 1957 SPOON PACKET Saul Leibow, Providence, R. I.

Application March 15, 1954, Serial No. 416,001

Claims. (Cl. 30-324) The present invention relates to the packaging of spoons for medicinal and other purposes in a disposable packet.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive packet containing a plurality of spoons, which is of small size so as to be readily portable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a disposable spoon packet having spoons which may be removed for discarding, after use.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a spoon packet for disposable spoons, the packet being adapted for use as the spoon handle.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts, more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more specifically defined in the claims appended thereto.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the novel spoon packet;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the packet with one spoon in position for use;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, the packet cover being open to permit access to the stored spoons therein;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified spoon packet construction;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the packet of Fig. 6, the cover being in open position; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a metal holding tab for the packet of Fig. 6.

It has been found desirable to provide an inexpensive spoon packet of the book-match type, which can be used for taking medicines or the like, and which has separable spoons, the spoons and their container being disposable. To this end, I position a set of spoons having short shanks in a container, the spoons and the container being of disposable material such as compressed paper or the like. I form the container with an openable cover, to permit access to the spoons, and I shape the cover to extend over the container after each spoon has been sequentially turned to a position for use, and to be releasably locked in place on the container base, whereby the container may be utilized as a handle for the turned spoon.

Referring to the drawings, the spoon packet 10 includes a container 11 having a bottom wall 12, tapered sides 13, 14, an upper end 15, and an inwardly extending flap 16, the bottom wall having an extension portion 17 which is scored for bending to provide a lower end 18 and a cover 19. The cover 19 has an end recess 20, see Fig. 3, with side fingers 21, 22 for a purpose hereinafter described.

A number of paper spoons 23 having arcuate spoon hollows 24, short shanks 25, and transversely extending bases 26 adapted to seat between the container sides 13,

14, are positioned in the container as shown in Fig. 3; the flap 16 being placed over the spoon bases 26, the flap 16, the spoon bases 26 and the bottom wall 12 are secured together, as by a-staple 27 which is of a length .to leave portions 28, 29 between the staple and the sides 13, 14, whereby the cover may be bent over as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to seat the side fingers 21, 22 into the unstapled portions 28, 29 beneath the flap 16 or beneath the spoon bases.

The novel packet, when in folded condition as shown in Fig. 1, is of match size, for ready transportation. When a spoon is desired, the cover is lifted back as shown in Fig. 3, and the top spoon is folded back as shown in Fig. 2. The cover is now replaced with its side fingers seated on the base of the folded spoon, whereupon the container becomes an elongated handle for the spoon. After use, the spoon is torn off at the flap 16, the cover being in closed relation to the container and covering the spoons still remaining in the container.

If desired, the packet may be constructed as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the packet 30 having a container 31 with a bottom wall 32, tapered sides 33, 34, a top wall 35, and a bottom wall extension 36 scored to provide a lower end 37 and a cover-38. Metal tabs 39, see Fig. 8, are provided, the tabs 39 having parts 40 with prongs 41 which are extended through the bottom wall 32 as illustrated in Fig 7 and are bent over to lock in place, and arms 42 at right angles to the parts 40 and adapted to extend adjacent to and over the sides 33, 34, for bending over the cover as shown in Fig. 6.

A series of paper spoons 43, having spoon recess portions 44, shortshanks 45, and bases 46, are seated in the container as illustrated, and are locked in place, by applying a layer of glue to the ends of the bases. In this construction, the spoons are also folded over for use as shown in Fig. 2, the bases being scored for this purpose as indicated at 47, and the cover is then folded over in closed position and over the spoon base to be held by the tab arms 42, thus permitting use of the container as a handle for the folded over spoons; the used spoon may be torn off after use.

Although I have disclosed a specific constructional feature of my invention, it is obvious that changes in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A disposable article packet of cardboard or the like, comprising a container having a bottom wall, an integral end wall extending upwardly therefrom and a cover extending from said end wall and overlying said bottom Wall, a plurality of superimposed flexible articles within said container each having a base portion, a flap extending over the uppermost base portion, a fastening device extending through the center portion of said flap and said base portions and engaging said bottom wall at the opposite end thereof from said end wall, said articles being adapted to be sequentially folded outwardly from said container and torn away therefrom after use, and means for holding said cover in closed position when an article is outwardly folded, and also when said article is stored within said container, said means comprising spaced fingers carried by said cover for insertion between said flap and the uppermost of said base portions laterally outwardly of said centrally positioned fastening device.

2. In the article packet of claim 1, said bottom wall having integral, upwardly extending side walls.

3. A disposable spoon packet of cardboard or the like, comprising a container having a bottom wall, an integral end wall extending upwardly therefrom and a cover extending from said end wall and overlying said bottom wall, a plurality of superimposed flexible spoons 5. In the spoon packet of claim 4, said bottom wall Within said container each having a base portion, a flap having integral, upwardly extending side Walls. extending over the uppermost base portion, a fastening device extending through the center portion of said flap References Cited in the file of this patent and said base portions and engaging said bottom wall at the opposite end thereof from said end Wall, said spoons UNITED STATES PATENTS being adapted to be sequentially folded outwardly from 921.827 Gonon May 18, 1909 said container and torn away therefrom after use, and 1,301,418 Frost Apr. 22, 1919 means for holding said cover in closed position when a 7,865 Butler Nov. 23, 1926 spoon is outwardly fo1ded,and also when said spoon 10 ,353,704 Freedman May 17, 1932 is stored within said container, said means comprising 53,260 Mayl Apr. 4, 1939 spaced fingers carried by said cover for insertion between 9 ,733 Bader Mar. 5, 1940 said flap and the uppermost of said base portions lateral- 2, ,886 Van Beck Nov. 19, 1940 ly outwardly of said centrally positioned fastening device. 2, 01,534 W61Ch June 4, 1946 4. In the spoon packet of claim 3, said spoons having 15 ,433,926 Sayre Ian. 6, 1948 dished scoop portions disposed in nested relation. 

